The United States announced on Friday that it will provide Ukraine with a new military aid package worth $125 million, including rockets and systems for targeting armored vehicles. The announcement came after a recent Russian attack that left dozens of victims in Ukraine.
This is the tenth tranche of aid to be sent to Ukraine since President Joe Biden signed the aid bill approved by Congress in April. The United States has approved sending $175 billion to Ukraine since Russia launched its attack on the country in February 2022, according to the Council on Foreign Relations, a New York-based foreign policy think tank.
The announcement of the new military aid came just hours after a Russian missile struck a grocery store in the city of Kostiantynivka, Ukraine, killing at least 14 people and injuring 44 others. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on the social media platform X that “Russia will be held accountable for this terrorist attack.” Russia has not yet commented on the attack.
Rescue teams continue to search for survivors who may be trapped under the rubble after the attack, according to President Zelenskyy. Damage has been reported to stores, the city post office, and vehicles.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement explaining the content and purpose of the new military aid.
“It includes air defense interceptors, munitions for rocket systems and artillery, radars, and anti-tank weapons that will help Ukraine defend its troops, people, and cities from Russian attacks and enhance military capabilities on the front lines,” the statement said.
The statement reaffirmed the United States’ support for Ukraine and stated that “the United States will send this new aid package as soon as possible to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense, territory, and its people.”
In a post on the social network X, President Zelenskyy thanked President Joe Biden and the United States for the aid.
“It is critical that the United States continue to take strong steps and show leadership in defending Ukraine’s freedom and stability in Europe,” he wrote. “We appreciate the support of the United States since the first day of the large-scale attack by Russia, aid that has enabled us to save many lives together,” he said.
Russia said it is facing an attack along its border with Ukraine and on Friday declared a “federal state of emergency” in its Kursk region. Ukrainian and Russian forces have fought in this area for the fourth consecutive day, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
Russia described it as one of the broadest incursions by Ukrainian forces since the war began 2.5 years ago following Moscow’s aggression.
At the same time, Reuters news agency reported that members of the Russian military were in Iran for training on the use of the long-range ballistic missile system Fath-360. European intelligence sources reported that Iran was expected to supply Russia with arms.
National Security Council spokesperson at the White House John Kirby said the United States and its allies “are prepared to respond immediately if Iran takes steps to deliver such arms, which would represent a dramatic escalation of Iran’s support for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.”
In a statement, the Russian Ministry of Defense said its troops had blocked the advance of Ukrainian forces deeper into the Kursk region in southwestern Russia.
It also said the military was attacking Ukrainian fighters attempting to advance from the Sumy region in Ukraine.
Washington approved the Ukrainian operation. The incursion into the Kursk region “is consistent with our policy,” Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh told reporters on Thursday.
